I joined Jim in hiking on the AT some each day July 7 through July 10.  We really had a great time.  We started out at Iron Mountain Gap, where Jim left the trail, and spent two nights at the Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel almost 5 miles up from there.  This was along the NC-Tennessee border. We're going back this weekend to do another section.  I really enjoyed it, and he says I was a great sport!  I hope Jim will add some of the neat pictures.  Getting away together and enjoying the beauty of nature was very refreshing and wonderful.

Jim also went back to hike some in early June with his friend Low Gear (Larry), who had only planned to walk until 6/11.  That happened to be an extremely hot time--temps of 102 and 103 here--and Jim suffered heat exhaustion one day, he thinks.  Nevertheless the comraderie and connection with Larry and other friends was satisfying and fun to Jim.  I think he got in about 40 more miles.

Libba